So these are the things that have been thrilling me this past month:
1. The way she always try to climb into my lap, even when my lap is not very accessible.
2. How she tries to make Olivia feel better when she is sad by bending down and whispering, "Hey, hey, hey" like she's seen me do.
3. Her new-found love of blocks and the precision with she puts them together.
4. How she always has a stuffed-animal (usually her dog) tucked under one arm as she goes about her day - whether reading, snacking, building or amusing herself in the window.5. The way she comes over to hug me throughout the day. She just leans in and makes a little lovey sigh and then goes on with whatever she was doing previously.
6. Her love of scarves. She's just like her mommy. (Click photo to enlarge.)
7. Her exceptional organizational skills- I don't dare to put anything in the wrong container when we're cleaning up. She just won't have it.8. How her love of books has expanded to her scolding her playmates when they throw them or otherwise treat them inappropriately.
9. The way she reminds me how beautiful it was to think like a child. Last night she was having a hard time sleeping so I went in to rock her a bit. As I held her, she snuggled in close with her dog and I could suddenly remember exactly what it felt like to love a little stuffed animal so much. For me it was a little brown and white dog that is actually among Ellie's playthings. Listening to her breathing and feeling her tight grip on her puppy reminded me what it felt like to be little. And to just love that puppy so very much. Even though I knew that it wasn't real and it was just a thing, I still just loved it. And I love knowing that she has something to love, too.
And don't even try to tell me that isn't the cutest yawn you've ever seen.
